The Victory Times Vol

The Victory Times Vol. II, Issue 7 Telling the Task Force Dragon story February 18, 2008 LTG Austin takes command of MNC-I Generals honor Odierno for efforts in stabilizing Iraq Story, photos by Army Sgt. Laura M. Bigenho 28th Public Affairs Detachment

Army Lt. Gen. Lloyd J. Austin III assumed command of Multi-National Corps-Iraq during a transfer of authority ceremony at Al Faw Palace Feb. 14. His predecessor, Army Lt. Gen. Ray Odierno, is scheduled to be the U.S. Army’s next vice chief of staff. Army Gen. David Petraeus, Multi- National Force-Iraq commanding general, spoke highly of Odierno’s accomplishments and leadership as Army Gen. David Petraeus, Multi-National Forces-Iraq commander, Army Lt. commander of III Corps and MNC-I. Gen. Ray Odierno, outgoing Multi-National Corps-Iraq commander and Army Lt. Petraeus said Iraq was a much dif- Gen. Lloyd J. Austin III, incoming MNC-I commander, salute the flag during the ferent place when Odierno first took transfer of authority ceremony Feb. 14. command 14 months ago. “The situation was very difficult,” ditional forces and he and his staff denying the terrorists the freedom to Petraeus said. “The bloodshed had began developing an operational con- launch their attacks from their neigh- reached horrific levels. The very fabric cept for their employment,” Petraeus borhoods,” Austin said. “Every day, of Iraqi society had been torn.” said. “His recommendations for what Iraqis are getting involved with the Petraeus said Odierno and his team came to be known as the surge forces government.” had a lot of planning and hard work has since been proven correct. They Austin previously served in Iraq in on their hands, but they stepped up reflected a mastery of the operational 2003 and as assistant division com- and made the tough decisions the level of war and they explicitly laid mander (maneuver) of 3rd Infantry country needed. out the concepts that have guided our Division (Mechanized). “He forthrightly requested ad- forces over the past year.” His other assignments include Odierno said he was humbled by commander of Combined Joint Task Petraeus’ remarks and for having Force 180 during Operation Enduring served among the ranks of others. Freedom in Afghanistan and most re- “You restored optimism to a coun- cently as chief of staff for U. S. Central try once enslaved by the influence of Command. He took command of XVIII terrorists and allowed a nation to take Airborne Corps in December 2006. control of its own destiny,” Odierno Austin said he plans to help the said. “I am humbled to serve in your Iraqis promote progress. ranks, and I salute each and every one “We will help the Iraqi government of you. Thank you for being at my side integrate local volunteers into the Iraqi and for being the Soldiers that you security force and other employment are.” opportunities that will promote prog- Austin said he looks forward to ress for this great country,” he said. working alongside the Iraqi security The Iraqis’ evident choice of peace forces, with whom he said he shares over sectarian violence will be key in the same ideals. continuing to make progress, Austin “Iraqis, like the Coalition soldiers said. Army Lt. Gen. Lloyd J. Austin III takes by their sides, believe that there are “It is clear that the Iraqi people the MNC-I colors from Army Gen. Da- ideals and responsibilities that tran- have a new confidence in tomorrow vid Petraeus, MNF-I commander. scend the individual and they are and in their future,” he said. 2 February 18, 2008 Commentary Family values take on new meaning By Army Sgt. Laura M. Bigenho home to others. They shown me that the price of leaving is 28th Public Affairs Detachment always emphasize far greater than the price of standing their doors are open by one’s side, even in a relationship’s It took me 20-something years to re- — as long as guests darkest hours. alize that even though my parents may can tolerate two big Lastly, and most recently, mom and not have it all together, they aren’t all furry kids who have dad showed me how to cherish family that bad either. In fact, I believe them taken the places of — particularly those who clearly don’t to be among the best. There were some Bigenho their adult kids. Even have much time left here on Earth. This serious family values at the core of my then, they are quick to was especially true with my late Grand- fully functional dysfunctional family put the dogs in a “doggy resort” to ease ma. Her health failed quickly over the and they helped shape me into the wife guests if need be. My parents may not last few years, and being thousands of and mom I someday hope to be. have much, but they’ve always shared miles away, I wanted to make every My parents taught me a lot. Perhaps what they have. visit and holiday count. I went home to the most crucial thing is to never go to Another value they instilled in me Pittsburgh on R&R in May not know- bed mad — stay up and fight. It may was the importance of putting our ing if it would be my last chance to vis- sound harsh at first, but think about it family first — from immediate family it grandma. Sure enough, those visits for a moment. The old belief that one to anyone who shares our family name were indeed my last. She passed away needs to sleep on it is so untrue. Mom to those unrelated who are somehow this past November. I was terribly up- and Dad taught me it’s best to resolve connected to our family. Regardless set I could not be home for her funeral, a disagreement as soon as possible — of how embarrassed others may have but forever grateful for the values my even if it means staying awake a few made us feel to be associated with the parents instilled in me. They taught me extra hours. Putting off resolution only family name at times, my parents re- to treasure the time I did have with her, adds grief, headache, worry and ulti- mind me that blood runs thicker than and for that reason I don’t have to live mately delays resolution, happiness water. with feelings of guilt or regret. and of course a good night’s sleep. Along the same lines, Mom and Dad After more than 33 years of marriage The second thing Mom and Dad showed me the meaning of standing by and four grown kids, I think my par- taught me was to be a giver. Their gen- your spouse — not behind, nor in front ents have this marriage thing figured erosity was evident to me as an ado- of, but beside him or her. Doing so out. They raised us the best way they lescent who had foreign exchange stu- may come at a cost sometimes, as it can knew, and instilled more values than dents living in our house and continues seem easier to take the back door when space allows me to list. Hopefully, I’ll to be years later as they open their tough times hit hard. However, they’ve be able to pass those values on myself. Chaplain’s Corner Vietnam. After 75 missions, his plane claimed. “You flew jet fighters in Who packs your was destroyed by a surface-to-air mis- Vietnam from the aircraft carrier Kitty sile. Plumb ejected and parachuted Hawk. You were shot down!” parachute? into enemy territory. He was captured “How in the world did you know Army Chaplain Mark Frederick and spent six years in a communist that?” asked Plumb. MNC-I Ops/Plans Chaplain Vietnamese prison. He survived the “I packed your parachute,” the man ordeal and now lectures on the lessons replied. As I stand on the threshold of this he learned from that experience. Plumb gasped in surprise and grati- deployment, I want to share with you One day, when Plumb and his wife tude. The man shook his hand and a devotional article I found very help- were sitting in a restaurant, a man at said, “I guess it worked!” ful. another table came up and addressed “It sure did,” Plumb assured Charles Plumb, a U.S. Naval him. him, “If your chute hadn’t worked, I Academy graduate, was a jet pilot in “You’re Plumb!” the man ex- See WHO, page 6

The Victory Times is an authorized electronic publication for MNC-I Commanding General: Lt. Gen. Lloyd J. Austin III The Victory Times welcomes columns, members of the Department of Defense. Contents of this MNC-I Public Affairs Officer: Col. Bill Buckner commentaries, articles and letters electronic publication are not necessarily the official views of MNC-I PA Sergeant Major: Sgt. Maj. Sharon Opeka from our readers. Send submissionsor or endorsed by the U.S. Government or the Department of MNC-I Command Info Chief: Staff Sgt. Jacob Boyer comments to derron.dickinson@iraq. Defense. The editorial content of this publication is the respon- Editor: Sgt. D.A. Dickinson centcom.mil. The editorial staff reserves sibility of the Public Affairs Office of Multi-National Corps-Iraq. Staff: Sgt. Laura M. Bigenho, Sgt. Abel Trevino the right to edit for security, accuracy, propriety, policy, clarity and space. March 18, 2007 3

A row of Tongan Marines stands at pa- Army Brig. Gen. Joseph Anderson, III Corps chief of staff, congratulates Capt. rade rest during an awards ceremony Tau Ahoelei, company commander, Royal Tongan Marine contingent to Iraq. held in their honor Feb. 5. Royal Tongan Marines service honored Story, photos by “You’ve been recognized The Tongans set a prec- said Ahoelei, who hails from Army Sgt. Jeremy D. Crisp by all for the expert man- edent since starting their Nuku’alofa, Kolomotu’a. MNC– I PAO ner in which you have car- deployment in September “We’ve made a lot of friends, ried out your day-to-day 2007 by singing at numerous learned about the culture A contingent of Royal duties,” Anderson said as MNC-I ceremonies, such here and we’ve even learned Tongan Marines were hon- he addressed the Tongans as this one, which brought American footie,” he said, ored for their service in Op- during the ceremony. “You cheers, applause and words referring to American foot- eration Iraqi Freedom dur- do your jobs every day with of gratitude. ball. ing an awards presentation a positive attitude. You are “You are dedicated to ex- The ceremony closed out at Al Faw Palace Feb. 5. energetic, very enthusiastic ecuting your duties, but as with the Tongans receiving Fifty-five Marines from and, by and large, very pro- you’ve just demonstrated to- congratulatory hand shakes the South Pacific island of fessional. We very much ap- day, you’re also an awesome from their Coalition part- Tonga were honored with preciate that.” chorus,” Anderson said. ners. three Commendation Med- Before the Marines were “We thank you for making This is the second contin- als and 52 Achievement awarded their medals, how- many of our ceremonies and gent of Tongan Marines to medals for their support of ever, a Camp Victory tradi- services all that much more be sent to support OIF. The the Multi-National Corps– tion was upheld. special.” first deployed in June 2004 Iraq mission. The unit was called to at- Tongan Marine Capt. to support operations in The Tongans were tasked tention by their chief of na- Tau Ahoelei, company com- Iraq’s Anbar Province. with providing 24-hour in- val defense, when he simply mander, explained that the The unit makes up ap- ternal and external security said, “a song.” honor the unit received came proximately 10 percent of for the 48,000 square-foot Al Booming voices from the from their ability to take any the total Tongan Defense Faw Palace. Tongans had servicemem- mission given and give it Forces. Army Brig. Gen. Joseph bers from all three floors of their best shot. The Tongans will leave Anderson, III Corps chief of the Palace coming out of of- “Whatever mission it is, later this month to be re- staff said they’ve done the fices and cubicles to take a we work hard at it, we enjoy placed by 55 more of their job extremely well. look. it and we are happy to do it,” fellow countrymen. 4 Feburary 18, 2008 52nd EOD assumes command of TF Troy

Story, photos by Army Sgt. Laura M. Bigenho 28th Public Affairs Detachment

The 52nd Explosive Ordnance Dis- posal Group, based at Fort Gillem, Ga., officially took the reins of Combined Joint Task Force Troy during a transfer of authority ceremony at Al Faw Palace Feb. 8. The 52nd took command from the 71st Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group, which will return to Fort Car- son, Colo., after a 15-month deployment in Baghdad that resulted in Army Command Sgt. Major Timothy Udelhofen, Task Force Troy command sergeant major and Army Col. Kevin Lutz, TF Troy commander, uncase the colors countless saved lives and thousands of for 52nd Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group during a transfer of authority cer- responses to IEDs. emony at Al Faw Palace Feb. 8. Army Brig. Gen. Michael Ferriter, Multi-National Corps-Iraq deputy ordnance and hazards containing more Reinhard also welcomed the 52nd commanding general of operations, than 1 million pounds of explosives.” EOD Soldiers and new CJTF Troy com- noted a few of the 71st EOD’s accom- Ferriter said their mission stretched mander, Army Col. Kevin Lutz. plishments. far beyond Camp Victory. In addition “I have absolute confidence that you “These courageous troopers re- to the 1,000-plus troops and Civilians and your team will build upon our suc- sponded to over 9,000 IED responses, within 71st, the group trained over cesses,” Reinhard said. “Take it to the 4,300 post-blast investigations, 1,700 120,000 Coalition Forces in basic IED next level so that we can realize the full explosive caches and 80 VBIEDs,” recognition, worked with 22 forward potential of this great capability.” Ferriter said. “This resulted in the de- operating bases to establish training Lutz said that his team is trained and struction of over 2 million pieces of lanes and conducted 2,223 IED training ready to lead the CJTF Troy mission. events on those lanes. “We will continue and build on the “They have taken fighting the IED to incredible efforts and achievements of a new level as they have continuously the 71st EOD Group of protecting the and creatively improved the way they force and defeating the IED networks,” fight,” Ferriter said. Lutz said. “Their accomplishments are Army Col. Karl Reinhard, 71st absolutely phenomenal, and without a EOD Group’s commander, said it was doubt, they have saved countless U.S., an honor to lead CJTF Troy. He also Coalition and Iraqi citizens’ lives while praised his troops for their hard work at the same time setting favorable con- and dedication to the mission. ditions for a sovereign Iraq.” “The credit for Troy’s successes He also thanked the 71st for setting must go to its Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, the standard and wished them a safe Distinguished guests attending the Marine and Civilians,” Reinhard said. redeployment. Task Force Troy Transfer of Author- “They epitomize champions — deter- “I want to personally thank the 71st ity ceremony included Army Brig. Gen. mined, persistent, excited, passionate EOD Group for the warm welcome Joseph Anderson, III Corps chief of and turned-on — champions for mak- and for setting the conditions for suc- staff and Army Command Sgt. Maj. Neil Ciotola, III Corps command ser- ing a difference in the counter-IED cess here in Iraq,” he said. “Godspeed geant major. fight.” and a safe journey home.” Februrary 18, 2008 5

Army Lt. Col. William Wanovich, commander, XVIII Airborne Corps Special Troops Battalion, unfurls the unit guidon with the help of the battalion’s senior noncommissioned officer, Army Command Sgt. Maj. Leeroy Chaney, as the unit takes the role of Task Force Dragon during a transfer of authority ceremony Feb. 11 at Al Faw Palace. XVIII Abn. Corps STB takes the lead from III Corps’ Task Force Phantom

Story, photo by Army Sgt. Jeremy D. Crisp foot Al Faw palace. MNC-I PAO As a result of the unit’s dedication, 86 Combat Action Badges and 267 Bronze Star Medals were awarded. Responsibility for the command, control and support of “Overall, I can say that it was a great experience,” said Multi-National Corps–Iraq changed hands Feb. 11 at the Army Col. Gregory Maxton, TF Phantom commander. Al-Faw Palace as the Soldiers of Task Force Phantom, III “I think all of us will have positive memories that we can Corps Special Troops Battalion, Fort Hood, Texas, handed look back upon for a long time, knowing that we made a dif- the reins to Task Force Dragon, XVIII Airborne Corps STB, ference while we were here,” Maxton said. Fort Bragg, N.C. “As Task Force Phantom departs, we turn over the reins Presiding over the transfer of authority ceremony, which to Task Force Dragon, led by the great team of Lt. Col. hosted an audience of hundreds of Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Wanovich, and Command Sgt. Maj. Chaney,” Maxton said. Marines and Coalition Forces, was Army Brig. Gen. Joseph “Over the past six months I’ve had the opportunity to work Anderson III Corps chief of staff. with them — and they are the right team to take what we Anderson praised the accomplishments of the TF Phan- have accomplished to the next level.” tom Soldiers and thanked them for their diligent service. TF Dragon Commander, Army Lt. Col. William J. Wanov- “I’d personally like to recognize the Task Force Phan- ich, took the lectern and closed out the ceremony with confi- tom Soldiers who have served with distinction these past 15 dent words to those in whom he is in charge. months,” Anderson said. “They truly represent those who “It’s time to roll up our sleeves and get busy,” Wanovich have passed before them, and I thank each and every mem- said. “I’m confident in your abilities and honored to stand ber of this team for their efforts in their operations here in in front of you as your commander. Know I’ll be with you Iraq.” every step of the way. Airborne, all the way.” Anderson said he was there to honor the achievements of This was the second deployment in support of Operation these warriors, and listed the accomplishments of the task Iraqi Freedom for the Phantom Corps Soldiers and is also force. the second time that the XVIII Airborne Corps STB will take Some of those accomplishments included executing 2,287 the helm as TF Dragon here. convoy missions while transporting more than 31,000 pas- TF Dragon will be responsible for a number of operations sengers; encountering nine IEDs, one EFP and numerous which support the approximately 2,500 servicemembers in small-arms fire engagements; conducting mass casualty the MNF–I and MNC–I headquarters element, including events for six attacks and emergencies at the palace and pro- personnel management, training, communications, convoy vided daily operational management for the 46,000 square- escorts and more. 6 Feburary 18, 2008 WHO, from page 2 Let there be light wouldn’t be here today.” Plumb couldn’t sleep that night, thinking about that man. “I kept wondering what he might have looked like in a Navy uniform,” Plumb said. “A white hat, a bib in the back and bell-bot- tom trousers. I wonder how many times I might have seen him and not even said, ‘Good morning, how are you?’ or anything because, you see, I was fighter pilot and he was just a sailor.” Plumb thought of the many hours the sailor had spent on a long wooden table in the bowels of the ship, carefully weaving the shroud lines and folding the silks of each chute, holding in his hands each time the fate of someone he didn’t know. Now, Plumb asked his audience, “Who’s packing your parachute?” Everyone has someone who provides what they need to make it through the day. Plumb also point- ed out that he needed many kinds of parachutes when his plane was shot down over enemy territory. He needed his physical parachute, his mental parachute, his emotional parachute and his spiritual parachute. He called on all these sup- ports before reaching safety. Sometimes in the daily challeng- es that life gives us we miss what is really important. We may fail to say hello, please or thank you, congratulate someone on something wonderful that has happened to them, give a comple- ment, or just do something nice for no particular reason at all. As we move through these months of deployment, it is important to recognize the people who pack your parachute. It does not matter if you are left to keep the home fires burning or if you are the one on the front lines in service to your country. We all have people who are packing our chutes.

We are not alone. Photo by Army Master Sgt. Dennis Beebe There are others who care and Mohannad Qramosh, Othman Alkhtaleen, Feras Salameh and Manoj Kumar, it is important to say thank you for electricians from Flour Company, replace the light bulbs of the rotunda chande- those who are packing our chutes. lier in Al-Faw Palace. Community February 18, 2008 7

Announcements Operating Hours IMO training the Camp Victory Stage. The race begins at Coalition Cafe Breakfast 5:30 - 8:30 a.m. Training for information management of- 7 a.m. The race is open to all. Prizes will be Lunch 11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. ficers is held Sundays at 3 p.m. in theEu- awarded to the top male and female finish- Dinner 5 - 8 p.m. Midnight Dining 11 p.m. - 1 a.m. phrates Conference Room in Al Faw Palace. ers. Sports Oasis Breakfast 5:30 - 8:30 a.m. For more information, contact Petty Of- Lunch 11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. Tae Kwon Do ficer 1st Class Anton Fitz at 822-4234 or an- Dinner 5 - 9 p.m. Education Center Take lessons from Grand Master Sung Bok [email protected] 8 a.m.-midnight Camp Liberty Post Exchange Nam 8th Degree Blackbelt, Tuesdays, Thurs- 8 a.m. - 10 p.m. days and Saturdays from 8 - 9 p.m. at Camp 7-on-7 Tug of war Fitness Center Open 24 Hours Victory Gym Bldg 24M. Nam coached the A seven-on-seven tug of war competition Victory Main Post Office Monday-Friday 7 a.m.-5 p.m. 1993 United States Tae Kwon Do Team and is scheduled for Feb. 24 at Area 51’s SSG Saturday 8 a.m.-5 p.m. the 2003 Iraqi National Castle Field. Call Brian at 822-5501. Sunday 9 a.m.-3 p.m. MNC-I STB Mailroom Olympic Tae Kwon Do Team. All are in- 9 a.m. - noon 5 - 7 p.m. vited to attend. Camp Striker Poetry Experience Al Faw Palace Post Office Camp Striker’s MWR North will host the Wednesday and Sunday 1-6 p.m. B.J.J./Mixed Martial Arts Poetry Experience every Wednesday at 8:30 Golby Troop Medical Clinic Sick Call Victory’s Mixed Martial Arts class meets p.m. Monday - Friday 7:30 a.m. - noon at the SFC Paul R. Smith Gym every night Saturday & Sunday 9 a.m. - noon Dental Sick Call except Friday from 9-11 p.m. Wednesday Steel Beach Picnic Monday - Friday 7:30 - 10:30 a.m. Saturday 9 - 10:30 a.m. night classes are from 9:30-11 p.m. An invitation is extended to all Sailors Mental Health Clinic to attend the Steel Beach Picnic March 2 at Monday - Friday 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Saturday 9 a.m. - noon Tobacco Cessation MWR 124 from 1 - 4 p.m. For more informa- Post-Deployment Health Briefings Monday, Wednesday and Friday 1 p.m. Victory Combat Stress Center offers a to- tion, e-mail Petty Officer 1st Class Anaesta- Pharmacy bacco cessation class Saturdays at 10 a.m. sia Jackson at [email protected] Monday - Friday 7:30 a.m. - noon; 1 - 4:30 p.m. For more information, call 822-2781. com.mil. Saturday & Sunday 9 a.m. - noon Legal Assistance/Claims Saturday-Monday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. 5k Race Foreign disclosure training The First Class Petty Officer Association Those in need of foreign discolsure train- Worship Hours will host the Anchors Aweigh Navy Day ing can call 822-2262 or go to mnci.intranet. 5k, March 2. The start and finish point is iraq.mil/C12/FDO/default.aspx. Victory Chapel (Bldg. 31) Sunday 7 a.m...... Collective Protestant 8:45 a.m...... Collective Protestant 10 a.m...... Catholic Confession Black History Month Observance 10:30 a.m...... Catholic Mass noon...... Gospel Protestant 2 p.m...... Latter Day Saints 4 p.m...... Episcopal/Lutheran A presentation for African-American History Month, “Carter G. Woodson and the 6:30 p.m...... Contemporary Protestant Origins of Multiculturalism,” will be presented Feb. 27 from 7 - 8 p.m. in the Al Faw Saturday 11 a.m...... Seventh Day Adventist Palace Rotunda. The guest speaker will be Command Sgt. Maj. Marvin Hill, MNF-I 8 p.m...... Catholic Mass

command sergeant major. Mini Chapel (Bldg. 24F) Sunday 8:00 a.m...... Eastern Orthodox Divine Liturgy 9:30 a.m...... Breaking of Bread Camp Victory Bible Studies 3 p.m...... Church of Christ 7:30 p.m...... Latter Day Saints Mon. Tues. Wed. Thurs. Fri. Sat. Sun. 7 p.m...... Knights of Columbus (1st & 3rd Sundays) Monday-Friday Women’s Smoke & Joe Young Adult Spanish Foundations SeventhDay Men of the 11:30 p.m...... Daily Mass Bible Study Bible Study Bible Study, Adventist Bible Study Friday Bible Study Bible Study 6:30 p.m...... Jewish Service 7 p.m. 12 p.m. 5:30 p.m. 7 p.m. Mini Chapel 10 a.m. 5 p.m. Bldg 24F Victory Victory Mini Chapel 6:30 p.m. Victory MLB Room, AFN Chapel Porch Chapel Chapel Oasis DFAC Freedom Radio

Al Asad...... 107.3 Kirkush...... 107.3 Ali Base...... 107.3 Mosul...... 105.1 Ar Ramadi.. 107.3 Q-West...... 93.3 Do you have an announcement about an event of interest to the Camp Victory Baghdad..... 107.3 Taji...... 107.3 community? Contact Sgt. D.A. Dickinson at [email protected] with Balad...... 107.3 Tal Afar...... 107.3 the information. Information for community announcements needs to submitted at Fallujah...... 105.1 Taqqadum... 107.3 Kirkuk...... 107.3 Tikrit...... 100.1 least two weeks prior to the event to allow for timely publication. All stations are FM 8 February 18, 2008 Sports & Fitness Anglers arrive on scene for Operation: Catch Fish Story, photo by Army Sgt. Abel Trevino 28th Public Affairs Detachment

The first Baghdad fishing tournament at Camp Liberty’s Z Lake, dubbed Operation: Catch Fish, brought out a crowd of more than 250 anglers, who Anglers competing in Operation: Catch Fish crowd around Camp Liberty’s Z Lake competed for bragging rights in four hoping to reel in the big one and win the first Baghdad Fishing Tournament. categories Feb. 9. The tournament was hosted by pro- and win a fishing tournament,” he said. guys over,” Almquist said. “In the last fessional anglers Joe Mercurio and Eric “I can’t win one at home but I can win couple of weeks we’ve been really busy Maninno. one over here.” with registration, making sure the word The only Marine fishing in the tour- The memorable moment for Carter got out and coordinating with Morale, nament, Chief Warrant Officer Bobby would not have been possible without Welfare and Recreation.” Carter, Iraqi Assistance Group mainte- a lot of work from the professionals Baghdad was the final stop for Op- nance officer, won the biggest catch by who put it on and their contacts here eration: Catch Fish this year, which hit reeling in a 14-pound Carp. in Baghdad. more than two dozen forward operat- Other anglers who placed in the “Joe Mercurio and Eric Maninno are ing bases in eight days, Mercurio said. competition were Aaron Garrett, secod the professional fishers who came over “I know you guys get a lot of en- place; Chad Newcomb, third place; and did so much work getting their tertainers who come here, but I think Karen Puschus, top female fisher and sponsors to sponsor the tournament,” fishing brought a lot of smiles to a lot James Gaskill with the smallest fish said Army Lt. Col. Brian Almquist, of faces,” Mercurio said, explaining the caught. Multi-National Corps-Iraq Air Medical unique tour he helped spearhead. Carter, who caught the mammoth Evacuation plans officer. Mercurio added that he would like carp near the end of the tournament, Sponsors of the fisherman were able for this becomes an annual event. This said that his big catch didn’t put up to donate all the equipment needed for year’s competition will broadcast on much of a fight. the first 200 competitors and prizes for ESPN2 later in the year. More informa- “Towards the end of the tournament, all competitors, which included hats, tion can be found at the official Web site it was a run and gun,” the Smith’s, shirts, sunglasses and shower shoes. http://www.operationcatchfish.com. Ala., native said. “I hit a little spot and Prizes were not the main objective of moved on. I took a hunch and told the the competition. Many of the amateur people I was fishing with to keep their anglers attended out of enjoyment for pizza crusts. I put a piece on my lure the sport. and my friend jumped in the water.” “This gives you something to do, Staying calm when the fish bit relax away all the busy stuff you have helped him keep the situation light and to do,” said Army Sgt. 1st Class James easily reel in the fish. Turner, 11th Psychological Operations “When you get one like that, you do Task Force. “If I did not catch anything what you can to not panic,” he said. all day, I’m still happy.” “You just need to be calm. The assur- Months of preparation were in- ances of my friend in the water helped, volved for this tournament to take too.” place. Carter recognized the unique situa- “This has been in the works for tion and joked that it was the first fish- six months, as we coordinated with ing tournament he had won. the sponsors in the states and Armed “It’s a great feeling to come to Iraq Forces Entertainment to bring these A fisherman modifes his lure.